Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos confessed Barcelona were playing better than his side, but said he didn’t care after the champions stayed in the title race with a 2-0 home win over Valladolid on Sunday.
Real were unconvincing winners as goals from Raul and Arjen Robben helped the capital side close back to within six points of leaders Barcelona.
“It is easier to win playing well than playing badly,” Ramos said. “However, sometimes you can’t play well and that was the case today. The priority was getting the points.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Valladolid had beaten Real 1-0 earlier in the season, when Bernd Schuster was at the helm, but under Ramos Real are much-improved.
England international David Beckham, now on loan at AC Milan, was one of the spectators at the Santiago Bernabeu cheering his old club on from the stands.
Sergio Ramos was suspended so Miguel Torres deputized at right back, but apart from that Real were at full strength and fresh after no midweek Champions League distraction.
However, Real were flat in the opening 25 minutes and only a great piece of skill from Gonzalo Higuain — a drag back and turn — earned applause from the home fans.
Along with French midfielder Lass Diarra, Higuain was Real’s standout performer and made the opening goal close to halftime, chipping the ball between two defenders and crossing for Raul to tap in.
Robben showed great control to score the second nine minutes from time, although Valladolid were furious as they felt they should have been awarded a penalty seconds before following a foul by Pepe.
“It was a penalty,” Valladolid coach Jose Luis Mendilibar said. “The people who saw it on the television told us it was a penalty and I have no doubt it was.”
Elsewhere, third-placed Sevilla fell to a surprise 1-0 home defeat against Getafe.
Jaime Gavilan’s 82nd-minute strike won the game for Getafe, who move four points clear of the drop zone.
Despite the loss, Sevilla are still in pole position for the Champions League as they hold an eight-point advantage over Valencia, who they play next week at the Mestalla.
Valencia climbed above Villarreal into fourth with a 3-2 win at Sporting Gijon on Sunday.
David Villa put Valencia 2-1 up from the penalty spot, but didn’t celebrate the goal out of respect for former club Gijon where he started his distinguished career back in 2000 and his parents were watching from the stands.
“I wasn’t as nervous as I expected,” Villa said. “I am sure they [Villa’s parents] were more nervous because it was the first time that they have seen me at El Molinon not wearing a Sporting shirt.”
Sporting Gijon equalized, but Juan Mata, recently capped by Spain, hit the winner late on.
Atletico Madrid boosted their Champions League aspirations, triumphing 2-1 at rivals Deportivo La Coruna courtesy of goals from Sergio “Kun” Aguero and Simao. Atletico are three points behind Valencia, as are promoted Malaga.
Matvei Michkov did not score on Monday, but the Philadelphia rookie had a hand in both goals as hosts the Flyers earned a 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. Ryan Poehling and Jamie Drysdale got the goals for the Flyers (31-36-9, 71 points), who won their third straight. Michkov and Travis Konecny assisted on both. Ivan Fedotov stopped 28 shots to earn his first win since March 1, ending a personal six-game losing streak. Zachary L’Heureux got the lone goal for Nashville. Michael McCarron and Brady Skjei got the assists for the Predators (27-39-8, 62 points), who have just four goals in their
Arminia Bielefeld on Tuesday pulled off a major upset in the DFB-Pokal by defeating defending champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-1 in their semi-final. The third-division team came from behind after Jonathan Tah gave the visitors a 17th-minute lead. Marius Worl replied three minutes later and Maximilian Groser scored Bielefeld’s second goal just before the break. The home team looked more likely to add to that tally as the Leverkusen players looked jaded. “I’m just proud of this team,” Bielefeld coach Mitch Kniat said as most of the fans the small stadium sang around him. “No one will sleep in the city tonight.” Patrik Schick went
THREES KINGS: The Celtics claimed a piece of league history by setting a new record for the number of threes in a season, ending their game with 1,370 Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun on Friday combined for 65 points as the Houston Rockets halted Oklahoma City’s 11-game winning streak with a statement 125-111 victory. In a potential Western Conference finals preview, the Rockets produced a dominant all-round performance to jolt the top-seeded Thunder’s all-conquering preparations for the post-season. Green finished with 34 points from 11-of-24 shooting, while Turkish big man Sengun made 31 points as second-placed Houston improved to 51-27. Oklahoma City grabbed the lead in the opening minutes of the first quarter, but Houston soon knocked the Thunder out of their stride with a physical approach to move into the
Marcus Rashford’s first goals for Aston Villa on Sunday inspired a 3-0 win against Preston North End that sent his side into the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 10 years. Rashford struck twice in the second half at Deepdale to end Preston’s stubborn resistance before Jacob Ramsey wrapped up Villa’s long-awaited return to the last four. Villa are to face Crystal Palace — 3-0 winners at Fulham on Saturday — in the semi-finals at Wembley Stadium in London. Revitalized since joining Villa on loan from Manchester United during the January transfer window, Rashford is beginning to show the form that